Ethics & Public Policy Center

EPPC’s American Religious Freedom Program Spins Off 1st Amendment Partnership

The Ethics and Public Policy Center is pleased to announce that its American Religious Freedom Program has given rise to the launch of the 1st Amendment Partnership, an independent organization dedicated to promoting and protecting religious freedom in America.

Under the direction of Tim Schultz (formerly ARFP’s state legislative director), the 1st Amendment Partnership will provide a platform to express the common voice and policy priorities of many of the nation’s largest faith communities, with a focus on state legislative policy and public messaging related to religious freedom.

“We are delighted that the launch of our American Religious Freedom Program three years ago has led to the spin-off of the 1st Amendment Partnership,” said EPPC President Ed Whelan. “We wish the 1st Amendment Partnership great success.”

Under Brian Walsh‘s continued direction, EPPC’s American Religious Freedom Program will primarily focus on scholarship, public messaging and thought leadership. “I look forward to expanding ARFP’s work and scholarship focused on educating thought leaders and shaping public discourse regarding religious civil rights and liberties,” said Mr. Walsh. “The religious freedom movement needs an abundance of new thinking and insightful voices,” said William Galston, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “Brian Walsh’s wealth of experience and his determination to reach across partisan and ideological divides make him the right person to lead this effort.”

Tim Schultz, president of the 1st Amendment Partnership, said, “We will be building on the great work of EPPC’s American Religious Freedom Program and look forward to continued collaboration. Americans of all backgrounds have a strong desire for bipartisan protections for religious freedom. The 1st Amendment Partnership will meld multi-faith, bipartisan legislative work with innovative social messaging to ensure that Americans retain all of their fundamental religious freedoms.”

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Founded in 1976, the Ethics and Public Policy Center is Washington, D.C.’s premier institute dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical issues of public policy.